Interested parties are putting outthe word that there's a Grand Opening party this Friday, Nov. 17, for Willow, the clothing and gift store that is opening its second location in the ground floor of the Arrisapartment building at 4th and Water in the Yards.

CJBabyDaddy says: (11/15/17 7:28 PM)Wear something from Willow so we can recognize you!

jdc says: (11/16/17 8:44 AM)I would love it if Willow sold DC-roasted coffee. Then I would not need to have it delivered.

202_cyclist says: (11/16/17 10:42 AM)The sidewalk next to 1221 Van, along South Capitol Street, is now open.

Also, there was one NIMBY on the Capitol Hill listserve this morning complaining about the amount of development in Southwest and elsewhere in Ward 6. I guess he prefers empty lots with tumbleweed and scrap metal dealers instead.

It is useful if you are buying/selling items, need a recommendation for a contractor, need moving boxes, etc...

202_cyclist says: (11/17/17 10:12 AM)It looks like some sort of barrier or sign was constructed on the vacant lot immediately north of Eagle Academy. I have no idea what this is for but the suspense builds.

walt says: (11/17/17 3:36 PM)I saw the post on the NewHillEast listserv and I didn't read it as NIMBY or as anti-development. I read it as wanting to make sure that concerns are taken into account (such as providing development for more than just 1-BR apts, like maybe even 2 and 3 BRs) or making sure that construction crews have adequate health and safety measures in place before problems arise.

I don't know what's in the heart of the person who wrote the post, but I didn't see anything that overtly said NO to new development - just "over-development", which of course is a subjective term.

Perhaps I'm naive and I don't know that these might be code-words for what you're implying, but I do know that accusing someone of NIMBYism is a sure-fire way to shut down any constructive dialog.

Here is some of the text of the email-- is is absolutely NIMBY nonsense.

"The DC Grassroots Planning Coalition, including Empower DC and DC for Reasonable Development, invites you to participate in an informal discussion which we hope will lead to some formal organizing to fight displacement and to protect your communities and families from the negative health and environmental impacts by over-development in Southwest and Ward 6."

"Please share with neighbors and friends and please bring your news of the projects that are problematic to you and be ready to talk potential solutions and political accountability.

If we don't act soon, we will be flooded over by profit-driven schemes like gigantic stadiums & luxury single bedroom condos and will be left without affordable housing for families or clean air."

It is NIMBY exclusionist nonsense.

malatesta says: (11/17/17 4:20 PM)Oh man, that just makes me angry. Air quality was much worse 15 years ago in navy yard than it is now. This is not even hard to verify.

But whatever, this is also spearheaded by a law school dropout grifter whose entire deal is astroturfing opposition to development to extract money from developers. That NIMBYs fall for it tells you all you need to know about their moral character and average intelligence.

goldfish says: (11/17/17 4:33 PM)I'm with Walt. And I think the word "NIMBY" is pejorative and should be used rarely and carefully -- if at all -- like how one uses a swear word or an ethnic slur. It is a slur.

CJBabyDaddy says: (11/17/17 4:58 PM)One should not use ethnic slurs — even rarely.

walt says: (11/20/17 1:34 PM)I really don't want to start a fight...I'm more into parsing the actual language and determining what it means (without reading between the lines).

@202cyclist: if I make no judgement about whether or not there really is "over-development", is there any other statement that reflects NIMBYism?

And yes, I also agree the term NIMBY is pejorative and is intended to shut down other people from expressing opinions.

sameter says: (11/20/17 4:48 PM)3rd street is on new pavement, temporary overpass is no longer in use. baby steps!

smitty2k1 says: (11/21/17 8:25 AM)Excellent news, I shall participate in this new pavement on my bicycle commute home this evening.

202_cyclist says: (11/21/17 11:02 AM)Exciting times!!! It's not part of the neighborhood but you can see it from the greater JD Land-area-- a tower crane was installed last week for the Potomac Ave Safeway development.

SWill says: (11/21/17 1:18 PM)202_cyclist: Are you sure that tower crane is for the Potomac Ave Safeway (Beckert's Park) and not for the Fragers redevelopment (Penn 11)? I didn't think the Safeway project started construction yet.

202_cyclist says: (11/21/17 1:49 PM)@SWill-- it certainly could be for the Fragers development. It looked to be in the vicinity of the Potomac Ave. metro station.

Ampersand says: (11/21/17 3:25 PM)I encountered the shiny new pavement last night when I discovered the pedestrian walkway on the east side of 3rd was closed (requiring crossing the road twice). I was excited about the new stub of Virginia (or maybe H?) that was lurking behind a chain-link fence. The end is near!

Also, as this project draws to a close, I want to note that the dedication to maintaining pedestrian connections throughout the duration of the project has been AMAZING. Even last night there were crosswalks and temporary ramps created, even though I'm sure this detour will be brief. It stands in stark contrast to many, many projects in DC which just close down sidewalks for months or years at a time with no pedestrian accommodation.

Snacks says: (11/22/17 10:49 AM)FWIW I asked the 2 guys building the tiny brick wall on the lot next to Eagle Academy what was happening. They said they had no idea, someone told them to build it so they did.

I think that's one of the lots that got sold though. I think that whole block did actually. Eagle academy, the taxi location, and the vacant lot got packaged and sold to some entity. I'm not sure what's happening with the lots on the other side across from Velocity / Parc Riverside.

202_cyclist says: (11/22/17 1:25 PM)@snacks-- I inquired as well and one of the workers yesterday said it is a mock-up of the facade and window that you often see for buildings under construction.

DCisforLovers says: (11/22/17 2:49 PM)"Whole Foods Coming Soon" signage now in the windows, seems like this may actually happen!

@ampersand i couldn't agree more. as someone who either walks through that way to barracks row or bikes, every day, they have always been more than accommodating. Also living in 70 capitol yards, facing the highway, csx has done a great job keeping noise to a minimum.

alterations to an existing 688 SF vacant space to add mechanical, plumbing and electrical fixtures to accommodate a future tenant. Future tenant fit out will be provided under a separate permit. This permit is for the landlord work only. The existing space is recently constructed building shell that has not been occupied by a previous tenant.

Yards Parcel L-2. Afterhours permit for the purpose of dismantling the tower crane on private
property. Work to take place Friday, 2 / 8 / 19 and Saturday 2 / 9 / 19 between 7pm-10pm as well as Sunday, 2 / 10 / 19 between 10am-7pm.